Which week in CO archery elk has the most pressure?

[MAT]

I’ve only hunted early a long time ago (20 yrs) when I didn’t know much and hated it, too hot and couldn’t find elk (because I didn’t know where to look). I usually go a few days before the muzzy season (3rd week) or the last week when I can hear them, which is reassuring even if I don’t see any at least I know they are there. At first it was great I had the woods to myself but it seems more and more bowhunters are going later to catch the peak of the rut. So is the first week of archery elk still the most pressure? I’m not concerned about the resident weekenders more so the non-residents who stay for a week or more.

My dilemma is I can only hunt until 9/11 this year so do I put in for the limited draw and burn my points, or do an OTC hunt and save them for next year when I can hunt later? Or hunt something else this fall? The OTC areas I know are north central CO where there is a ton of pressure. I ran into lots of bowhunters the last week of 2013 around Steamboat even packing in 3.5 miles, way more than I expected. Is it more hunters overall or are more going late?

I know the hunter pressure situation in my draw unit (flattops) late in the season so I am also trying to predict what it would be early. Or is trying an OTC area early season worth saving points?

 

[michaelc10]

I think for me I've found the most pressure opening week of archery , I tend to try less occupied areas, opening week to avoid other hunters

 

[In God We Trust]

Save your points and use them when you can hunt later in the rut if you like the rut hunts. I hunt an OTC unit and see very few people although last year I saw two other camps with 2 guys each which is more than I have ever seen before up there. The best way to get away from crowds is the always stated pack in. Another less talked about thing to get away is don't pack in where there are trails. I just started bush whacking into areas that looked good. Most guys all park at the same trail head and then pack in on the same trail. You can pull off anywhere in the high country off of I-70 and find elk if you pack in a few miles as long as the habitat is good. If you have to hunt early I recommend hunting higher. It is cooler up high. Early hunts can be good because bigger bulls are more likely to come into cow calls before they have a harem put together already. I hope this helps. Good luck

 

[Bonedalien]

good question, but thinking back on last season,i would have to agree with michael above. the opening was a zoo in my main spot. i wasnt there but buddies were. I saw 2 guys were i was and thats alot for that spot. went into my main spot week two,and called a bull right out of a week old camp. the pressure was off and the elk had slipped back in. of course 3 day weekends are going to fill the hills. i guess i dont have an answer,but i certainly feel like archery, and backpack hunting have really gotten more popular every season.

 

[MAT]

I would gather by all your comments (thanks) than even a limited entry area would be a zoo on the opener? If it's just a weekend thing with residents I can handle that but are there any advantages to starting on opening day to get the jump on everyone else before all the elk get pushed out/around? The biggest issue with hunting late is finding where they went. There's always tons of old sign (2 weeks old) in many prime areas. Sometimes the elk move back in but often not. Once I find them then it's fun but they are often call shy which took me many years to figure out.

 

[5MilesBack]

I'll tell you what, the last few years have all been different. A few years ago the last week was vacant, then 2013 the last week was grand central station. Then last year seemed to be every week. I've seen the same for opening week as well. So at this point I don't have a good gauge as to how to predict it. So, I just plan on getting out there every week and go until I decide to fill my tag. If I could only pick one week.......I'm not sure I could do it. I like them all for different reasons.

 

[Finch]

I'm concerned as well about hunting the first half of the season. It will be my first ever elk hunt (backpack) and I wonder how the action will be that early into it. My work schedule wouldn't allow me to take vacation the last half of the archery season. BUT I need to get my feet wet and I'm sure it will be a great time no matter the outcome. Good luck to you!

 

[bz_711]

I've only hunted the 2nd and 4th weeks of archery the last 5 seasons...and for me the pressure has just increased overall each year, but has never been bad 1.5 miles or so from road. In 2013 I hit my favorite hillside my first day there and ran into 7 hunters that morning...I could not believe it...but I did talk to most of them (very nice) and I believe all were CO locals (this was a Sunday). That was the first time it opened my eyes to how much busier the weekends really are compared to a Mon-Thurs.

I would have no problem going opening week or any week - know the weekends will get more traffic - and just enjoy chasing elk in the mountains. I'd rather go opening week with pressure, hot temps, and no bugling...then sit out a year. But to your original question to burn points or not - tough call - I'd probably just go OTC until I knew I had a year with clear calendar for burning points.

Good Luck!

 

[Bar]

The more info that's pumped on the internet to new hunters. The more crowded it will become.

 

[PA 5-0]

Fourth week of Sept for me. Gotten smoked with very hot weather in wks 1,2,3. That last week is pretty much guaranteed rut action which I find critical to success with the bow. I have found that even one point draw areas are much less crowded than OTCs.